Sofa folding bed supporting fixture



Nov. 15, 1966 w. c. ROGERS, JR

SOFA FOLDING BED SUPPORTING FIXTURE I 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 11, 1965 INVENTOR.

W 4 YM ATTORNEYS 15, 1966 w. c. ROGERS, JR

SOFA FOLDING BED SUPPORTING FIXTURE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 11, 1965 FIGI INVENTOR.

WALTER CLARK ROGERS,JR.

ATTORNEYS Nov. 15, 1966 W. C. ROGERS, JR

SOFA FOLDING BED SUPPORTING FIXTURE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 11. 1965 I N V ENTOR.

Nov. 15, 1966 w. c. ROGERS, JR

SOFA FOLDING BED SUPPORTING FIXTURE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 11, 1965 an a g ,2 g Q a mm 2.. P s s\. n l .11 o 2 a Q M N r om a s A TTORNE Y5 United States Patent Office 3,284,811 Patented Nov. 15, 1966 3,284,811 SOFA FOLDING BED SUPPORTING FIXTURE Walter Clark Rogers, Jr., High Point, N.C., assignor to General Steel Products, Inc., High Point, N.C., a corporation of North Carolina Filed Jan. 11, 1965, Ser. No. 424,625 16 Claims. (Cl. 513) This invention relates to a sofa bed containing a folding bed frame which is containable within the sofa frame and extendable ahead of the sofa frame to be unfolded and used as a bed and particularly to a bed with a permanently afiixed lower front rail having an over-the-rail type of bed supporting fixture.

Sofa beds are in common use in which the bed frame, which is foldable and contained within the sofa, is supported for movement between (1) a retracted position in which the folded frame is contained entirely within the frame of the sofa and the sofa utilized as such with the sofa cushions resting on the bed frame and (2) an extended position with the bed frame extending ahead of the sofa where the frame may be unfolded into a full length bed. In these sofa beds, the enclosure within the sofa containing the retracted bed frame is defined by the two side members of the sofa frame, the sofa back and a low front rail extending transversely across the front of the sofa between the two side members. As the bed frame must be contained within the storage enclosure of the sofa at a position entirely below the level of the cushions, which rest on the retracted bed frame, the original construction utilized a front rail for the sofa which was not a permanent part of the sofa frame but was either attached to the bed frame and moved with it or was removable to permit the bed frame to be extended. In other words, the front rail of the sofa provided an obstruction which had to be either removed or moved with the bed frame when the bed frame was moved from its retracted position within the sofa to the extended position ahead of the sofa. The movable front rail, which is normally upholstered in the same material as the sofa, does not present a pleasing appearance and is subject to wear and soiling.

In my co-pending application Serial No. 393,571, I disclose an arrangement whereby the bed frame is supported by a fixture which swings the folded bed frame up and over a front rail which is permanently atfixed to the sofa frame in moving from the retracted to the extended positions. This fixture permits the front rail to be a permanent and integral part of the sofa frame as is the case with a regular sofa having no extendable bed incorporated into it. Such a fixture is generally known as an over-the-rail arrangement to distinguish it from the prior type in which the front rail of the sofa is movable. However, the mechanism and structure of my disclosed fixture is relatively complex and requiries a support bracket and linkage connections to the bed frame which extend upwardly into the rear portion of the sofa interior above the top of the folded bed frame in the retracted position. Such an arrangement results in a moderately bulky structure within the back of the sofa at and above the level of the cushions.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved over-the-rail fixture for supporting an extendable bed frame in a sofa bed.

A further object is to provide an over-the-rail bed frame supporting fixture for a sofa bed in which the movable portions of the fixture are supported from below and within the enclosure in the sofa within which the bed frame is retracted.

Yet a further object is to provide an over-the-rail bed frame supporting fixture for a sofa in which the links of the fixture in the retracted position remain below the level of the front rail.

Another object is to provide an over-the-rail bed frame supporting fixture for a sofa bed which is rugged and simple with a minimum of moving parts.

A still further object is to provide an over-the-rail bed frame supporting fixture for a bed frame in which a rear frame section may be raised to an elevated position out of alignment with the remainder of the bed frame sections when the frame is in the fully extended position.

In achieving these objects I have produced a fixture which supports the bed frame for movement between a retracted position within a storage enclosure defined by the front rail, the side members and the back of the sofa and an extended position above and extending forward of the front rail. frame section of the bed frame from two fixed pivot points on each sofa side member in the lower part of the storage enclosure near the bottom of the side members. The bed frames comprise a main frame section having two pivotally connected forward frame sections, which fold back to be superposedover the main frame section and may be unfolded to a fully forwardly extending position when the bed frame is extended from the sofa, and a rear frame section pivotally connected to the rear of the main frame section. The rear frame section pivots from a position in line with the main frame when the bed is in the extended position to a generally vertical position in the back of the sofa when the bed is in the retracted position and is also connected to the main frame section by a lost motion connection so as to be pivotable to a raised position with the rear end elevated when the bed is in the extended position. The rear of the main frame section of the bed is supported from a rear fixed pivot on the base members of the fixture affixed to a sofa side frame member in the lower portion of the enclosure by a set of compound, rear support links pivotally interconnecting the rear fixed pivot and the main frame section. The main frame section is supported at a point ahead of its rear support by a system of compound front support links interconnecting a front fixed pivot on the base member, the main frame section and the rear support links. In addi tion a guiding link connects the rear and front support links to coordinate the motion of the main frame in moving from the retracted position so that the rear of the main frame digs downwardly as the front of the frame is lifted in an upwardly and forwardly extending arc and then is lifted upwardly as the front of the main frame, lifted by the front support links, is moved forwardly over the top of the front rail in moving to the extended position. A connecting link between the main and rear frame sections pivots the rear frame section between its position perpendicular to the main frame in the retracted position and its position in horizontal alignment with the main frame in the extended position.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of the sofa with the side members and other portions of the sofa frame cut away to show the folded bed frame in the retracted position within the enclosure formed by the sofa back and side frames and front rail.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation similar to FIGURE 1 in which the folded bed frame is intermediate the retracted and extended positions.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation similar to FIGURE 1 with the folded bed frame approaching the extended position.

FIGURE 4 is a side elevation similar to FIGURE 1 with the bed frame in the extended position and the forward sections in the folded or collapsed position.

The fixture movably supports the main FIGURE 5 is a side elevation similar to FIGURE 1 with the forward bed frame sections intermediate their folded and fully extended positions.

FIGURE 6 is a side elevation similar to FIGURE 1 with the bed frame in the fully extended and unfolded position.

FIGURE 7 is a partial plan view from above showing the main and rear bed frame sections in the extended position.

FIGURE 8 is a partial plan view showing the two forward bed frame sections in the fully extended and unfolded position.

FIGURE 9 is a partial side elevation partially cut away showing the bed frame in the extended position with the rear frame section in the raised position.

The sofa bed of this invention includes a sofa portion 10 of usual furniture construction having a back frame 11 including a lower cross member 11a, side frame members 13 on both sides including arms 14 and vertical frame members 15 and 16, and a front rail 17 extending between the lower portions 18 of the side frame members to form the front portion of the sofa. The sofa portion is supported at each corner on legs 19. The two side members 13, the back 11 and the front rail 17 define a four sided storage enclosure 20 within the sofa portion into which the foldable bed 21 in the fully folded condition fits in the retracted position as shown in FIGURE 1. The foldable bed 21 has the usual bracing members and springs (not illustrated) for supporting a mattress (not illustrated).

The foldable bed frame 21 includes a main frame section 23, which is supported by fixtures to be described subsequently, a rear frame section 24 pivotally joined on both sides to the rear of the main frame section 23 by pin joints 25, an intermediate frame section 26 pivotally joined on both sides to the front of the main frame section 23 by pin joints 27 and a forward frame section 28 pivotally joined on both sides to the front of the intermediate frame section 26 by pin joints 29. In the folded or collapsed position of the bed, as best seen in FIGURE 4, the forward frame section 28 is folded back to overlie the main frame section 23 and be spaced above it by the height of the intermediate frame section 26 which is generally perpendicular to the forward and main frame sections. In the fully extended or unfolded condition, illustrated in FIGURE 6, the rear frame section 24, the main section 23, the intermediate frame section 26 and the forward frame section 28 are in line extending, horizontally outwardly from the sofa portion 10 as a full length bed with the matteress (not illustrated) lying flatly thereupon.

The foldable bed frame 21 is movably supported from the sofa by two fixtures each pivotally connected at two points to the side of the main frame section 23 and affixed to a lower side sofa frame 18 on each side of the sofa. For ease of illustration and description the fixture on but one side is illustrated and described, being the fixture on the right hand side of the sofa when facing forwardly.

As may be best appreciated in FIGURES 3 and 4, the fixture has a base member 30 which aflixed by bolts 31 to the inside of the lower side members 18 to extend longitudinally along the lower sides of the storage enclosure 20 with the base member 30 having a front fixed pivot 38 with a pin pivot near the front and to the rearwardly thereof a rear fixed pivot 33 having a pin pivot. The foldable bed frame 21 is pivotally and swingably supported by a rear support link means 32 which pivotally interconnects the rear of the main frame section 23 at the pin joint 25 with the mid section of the base member 30 at the rear fixed pivot 33 and by a front support link means 37 which pivotally interconnects an link 34 pivotally connected at one end to the fixed pivot 33 on the base member 30 and a second rear support link 35 pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the other end of the first rear support link at pivot 36, the second rear support link 35 being pivotally connecting at its end furtherest from the pivot 36 to the rear of the main frame section 23 at the pin joint 25 which joins the main and rear frame sections 23 and 24.

The front link support means 37 comprises a C-shaped first front support link 39 pivotally connected at its lower end to the base member at the front fixed pivot 38, a second front support link 40 pivotally connected intermediate its ends at pivot 41 to an upper portion of the first front support link 39, and a third front support link 42 in the form of a bell crank pivotally connected at one end by pivot 43 to one end of the second front support link 40 and pivotally connected at its fulcrum to an intermediate point along the length of the main frame section 23 at pivot 44. The other end of the second front support link 40, opposite the pivotal connection 43 to the third front support link 42, is pivotally connected by pivot 45 to an intermediate point of the second rear support link 35. A guiding link 46 pivotally connects between the front and rear support link means by a pivotal connection 47 at one end to the end of the second rear support link 35 opposite the pivotal connection 25 to the main frame section and by pivotal connection 48 to an intermediate point of the curved C-shaped first front support link 39. A tensioning link 60 is pivotally connected at one end by pivot 61 to the lower end of the first front support link 39 at a point adjacent the front fixed pivot 38 and at the other end to one end of a tension spring 62 having the other end affixed to the rear end of the base member 30.

The rear frame section 24, pivotally connected to the main frame section at pivots 25, is a U-shaped cantilevered section, as may be best seen in FIGURE 7, with the lower end 49 of the U being unsupported. A connecting link 50 is pivotally connected at one end to the upper end of the first front support link 30 at pivot 51 and at the other end is pivotally and slidably connected through a lost motion connection 52 to an extension plate 53 afiixed to the rear frame section 24. As best seen in FIGURE 9, the lost motion connection 52 comprises a longitudinal slot 54 near the end of the connecting link 50, a latching member having V-shaped notches 55 in a latching head 56 which overlies the outer surface of the connecting link 50 and is afiixed to a pin 57 extending through the slot 54 and pivotally contained within the extension plate 53. A locking member or lug 58 protrudes outwardly from the side surface of the connecting link 50 along its edge above the slot 54 and an unlocking pin 59 protrudes from the surface of the connecting link 50 just below the forward end of the slot 54.

At the forward portion of the main frame section 23 a supporting leg 63 is pivotally connected at its upper end by pivot 64 to the end of the third front support link 42 opposite the pivotal connection 43 to the second support link. A brace 65 pivotally connects at pivots 66 and 67 between a midpoint of the leg 63 and the forward end of the main frame section 23.

The intermediate and forward frame sections 26 and 28 are pivotally connected together and supported from the main frame section 23 and by a forward support leg in a manner essentially the same as in my' co-pending application Serial No. 393,571 with the same general arrangement for locking the intermediate and forward frame sections in the collapsed or folded position. The floating cross bar 22, which is a sofa cushion support when the bed is retracted within the sofa, is pivotally attached to the forward frame section 28 by pivot 68 and has a support channel 69 which contacts the side frame structure to prevent downward pivoting of the cross bar 22 when the forward section is inverted in the collapsed position, as in co-pending application Serial No. 393,571.

Briefly described this forward bed frame structure, a link 70 pivotally and slidably connects at one end to a longitudinal slot 71 in the forward portion of the main frame section 23 by pin 72 at the other end is pivotally connected to forward frame sections at the pivot 29 which joins the intermediate and forward frame sections 26 and 28. An L-shaped link 73 has one end pivotally connected by pivot 74 to an intermediate point of the link 70. A plate member 75 having a longitudinally extending slot 76 is riveted along the outer side portion of the forward frame section 28. A frame folding link 77 is slidably and pivotally connected at one point by pin 78 to slot 76 of plate 75 and pivotally connects to the intermediate frame 26 by pivot 79 and pivotally connects intermediate its ends to the other end of L- shaped link 73 by pivot 80. The outer supporting leg 81, which is U-shaped with the ends being pivotally connected to both sides of the forward frame section 28 by pivots 82 has an intermediate point pivotally connected by pivot 83 to one end of a locking link 84 whose other end pivotally and slidably connects to the forward frame section 28 by the pin 78 riding in the slot 76. The geometry of the locking link 84 and its pivotal connections to the forward frame section 28 and the outer leg 81 is such that the pivotal connection 83 to the forward leg 81 lies below a line joining the pin 78 in the slot 76 and the pivot 29 joining the intermediate and forward frame sections when the forward frame sections are fully folded so that this overcenter position of the pivot 83 prevents upward motion of the forward frame section 28 in the same manner as the arrangement described in my co-pending application Serial No. 393,571.

In the retracted position illustrated in FIGURE 1, the bed frame 21 in the folded and collapsed position is contained within the storage enclosure 20 with the main frame 23 lying disposed generally horizontally a little below the level of the base member 30 and supported from the fixed pivots 33 and 38 by the rear and front link support means 32 and 37, the rear frame section 24 extends upwardly into the back portion of the sofa to be generally perpendicular to the horizontally disposed main frame section 23, and the intermediate and front frame sections 26 and 28 are folded back in a superposed position to overlie the main frame section 23 as in the folded or collapsed position but with the inner and outer supporting legs 63 and 61 folded generally parallel to the folded and collapsed bed frame 21. The underneath side of the forward frame section 28 forms a support on which the sofa cushions rest.

To move the sofa to the extended position, the forward and intermediate sections 28 and 26 are lifted in the direction of the arrow A in FIGURE 2. As viewed in that figure, the first front support link 39 pivots clockwise about the front fixed pivot 38 and, through the medium of the second and third front support links 40 and 42, arcuately swings the front of the main frame section 23 (and the other forward frame sections of the bed) upwardly within the enclosure 20 to a level above the top of the front rail 17. During this upward arcuate motion of the first front support link 39, the rear of the main frame section 23 and the rear frame section, which is disposed generally perpendicular thereto, are dipped downwardly and forwardly by the pivoting action of the second rear support link 35 rotating about the pivot 36 on the first rear support link 34 due to the guiding link 46 pivotally connected between the pivoting first front support link 39 and the end of the second rear support link 35. After the second rear support link has been swung past the vertical, the guiding link 40 causes the second rear support link 35 to pivot upwardly and lift the rear of the main frame section 23 within the enclosure 20 and the first rear support link 34 then rotates forwardly about the rear fixed pivot 33 to translate the rear of the bed frame forwardly. At the same time, a four bar linking arrangement comprising the main frame 23, the second front support link 40, the third front support link 42 between the pivots 43 and 44, and the second rear support link 35 between the pivots 25 and 45 is flattened by the rearward pivoting motion of the third front support link 42 and the second rear support link 35 to move the main frame section 23 fully forwardly to the extended position of FIGURE 4. During the later phase of the extending motion, as the four bar linkage arrangement designated above commences to assume its flattened position, the connecting link 50 moves forwardly with respect to the main frame section 23 and the rear frame section 24 is pivoted relative to the main frame section to a position in line with the main frame section in the extended position of the bed as illustrated in FIGURE 4. As the first front support link 39 is rotated about the front fixed pivot 38 to the vertical position of FIGURE 3, the front of the main frame section 23 is swung forwardly and over the top of a front rail 17 and when the first front support link 39 pivots past the vertical position of FIGURE 3, the front of the main frame section 23 and the forward frame sections are swung downwardly toward the floor while supporting leg 63 is pivoted downwardly in the direction of the arrow B in FIGURE 3 by the pivoting motion of the third front support link 42 to contact the floor as shown in FIGURE 4.

The bed frame in the extended position with the for ward sections in the folded or collapsed position, as shown in FIGURE 4, may be fully extended to completely open the bed by lifting the forward supporting leg 81 in the direction of the arrow C in FIGURE 4 to first raise the pivot 83 of the forward leg 81 and locking link 84 past the dead center position and above a line joining the pin 78 and the pivot 39 of the forward frame section, and then pivoting the forward frame sections around pivots 27 and 29, as shown in FIGURE 5, to the fully extended, horizontally aligned position of FIGURE 6 with the for ward supporting leg 81 finally pivoted downwardly to rest on the floor to support the forward sections.

When the bed frame has reached the extended position in which the main and rear frame sections 23 and 24 are in alignment, as in FIGURES 4-6, the rear frame section 24 may be lifted and locked into the raised position illustrated in FIGURE 9.. In the lowered position of the rear frame section 24, as illustrated in FIGURE 6, the side of the latching head 56 of the lost motion connection 52 is aligned with and contacts the underside of the locking lug 58 which extends along the edge of the connecting link 50. As the rear frame section 24 is pivoted upwardly in the direction of the arrow B of FIGURE 9 around the pivotal connection 25 to the main frame section 23, the latching head 56 and pin 57 of the lost motion connection move along the slot 54 toward the unlocking pin 59. When the latching head 56 passes the end of the locking lug 58, the latching head 56 and pin 57 rotate clockwise as seen in FIGURE 9. The rear frame section 24 is then lowered and the lower surface of the V notch 55 of the latching head 56 contacts the end of the locking lug 58 so that the pin 57 of a slidable connection cannot slide along the slot 54 and locks the rear frame section 24 in the raised position illustrated in FIGURE 9. To unlock the rear frame section 24 from the raised position, the section is lifted in the direction of the arrow E in FIGURE 9 so that the latching head 56 strikes the unlocking pin 59 which rotates the latching head 56 clockwise to a position transverse to the connecting link 50 so the V notches 55 will not contact the locking lug 58. Then, as the rear frame section 24 is lowered and the side of the latching head 56 contacts the locking lug 58 which rotates the latching head 56 further clockwise into a position parallel to the locking lug 58 so that the latching head 56 and pin 57 may slide along the slot 54 to the opposite end from the unlocking pin 56 and return the rear frame section 24 to the lowered position of FIGURE 6.

To retract the fully extended bed into the sofa, the reverse of the extending operation is carried out. First, the bed is placed in the folded or collapsed position of FIG- URE 4 by lifting the outer end of the forward frame section 28 and pivoting this section and the intermediate frame section 26 through the position of FIGURE 5 to the collapsed position illustrated in FIGURE 4 and pressing the forward support leg 81 downwardly to move the locking link 84 past dead center so as to lock the intermediate and forward frame sections in place. The motion of returning the folded bed frame from the extended position of FIGURE 4 to the retracted position within the sofa is the reverse of the extending operation previously described. The forward end of the main frame section 23 is lifted and pushed inwardly so that the front end is lifted and swung rearwardly by the rearward pivoting motion of the first front support link 39 and the other links of the front support link means 37 while the rear end of the main frame section 23 dips downwardly and to the rear into the storage enclosure 20 by the pivoting and swinging action of the rear support link 32, the guiding link 46 and the pivotal connection 45 of the second support link 40 to the second rear support link 35. During the retracting motion, the rear frame section 24 is lifted to be generally perpendicular to the main frame section 23 by the motion of the connecting link 50 relative to the main frame section and the supporting leg 63 is folded upwardly to be generally parallel and nesting with the main frame section 23.

While the above matter describes and illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that the invention is not restricted solely to the described embodiment but that it covers all modifications which would be apparent to the one skilled in the art which would fall within the scope and spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a sofa bed, including a sofa portion having back and side frame members with a fixed front rail extending between the forward lower ends of said side frame members to define therewithin a storage enclosure within the sofa, a fixture supporting the pivotally connected main and rear frame sections of a foldable bed frame for movement over said rail between (1) a retracted position in which the bed frame is contained within said storage enclosure behind said rail with the main frame section generally horizontal and the rear frame section extending vertically upwardly thereto and (2) an extended position in which said bed frame lies above and extends forwardly of said rail with the main and rear frame sections aligned and substantially horizontally disposed, said fixture comprising:

support means afiixable to a side frame member and having a front fixed pivot and rearwardly thereof a rear fixed pivot,

rear support link means pivotally connected between said rear fixed pivot and a rear portion of said main frame section to swing the rear of said frame section forwardly within said enclosure from said retracted position and then lift it upwardly to said extended position,

front support link means pivotally connected between said front fixed pivot and said main frame section forwardly of the connection to said rear support link means to lift the forward portion of said main frame section upwardly above said rail as said main frame section initially pivots from said retracted position and to then pull the frame forwardly over said rail as said bed frame moves to said extended position, guiding link means pivotally connected between said front support link means and said rear support link means to pivotally swing the portion of said rear support link means immediately supporting the rear of said main frame downwardly and forwardly as the front portion of said main frame section moves between said retracted position and said extended position, and connecting link means pivotally connected between said front support link means and said rear frame section to pivot said rear frame section relative to said main frame section as said bed frame moves between said retracted and extended positions.

2. A fixture as described in claim 1 wherein said rear support link means comprises:

a first rear support link pivotally connected at one end to said rear fixed pivot,

and a second rear support link pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said first rear support link and having pivotal connections to said main frame section and to said guiding link means.

3. A fixture as described in claim 2 wherein said front support link means comprises:

a first front support link having a pivotal connection at one end to said front fixed pivot,

a second front support link pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said first front support link and having a pivotal connection to said second rear support link,

and means for pivotally interconnecting said second front support link and said main frame section.

4. In a sofa bed, including a sofa portion having back and side frame members with a fixed front rail extending between the forward lower ends of said side frame members to define therewithin a storage enclosure within the sofa, a fixture for supporting the pivotally connected main and rear frame sections of a foldable bed for movement over said front rail between (1) a retracted position in which the folded bed frame is contained within said storage enclosure behind said rail with the main frame section generally horizontal and the rear frame section extending upwardly substantially perpendicular thereto and (2) an extended position in which said bed frame lies above and extends forwardly of said rail with the main and rear frame sections aligned and substantially horizontally disposed, said fixture comprising:

a base member afiixed to a side member and having a front fixed pivot and rearwardly thereof a rear fixed pivot,

rear support link means pivotally connected between said rear fixed pivot and a rear portion of said main frame section to swing the rear of said frame section forwardly within said enclosure from said retracted position and then lift it upwardly to said extended position,

front support link means, including a first front support link having a pivotal connection at one end to said front fixed pivot, pivotally connected between said main frame section forwardly of the connection to said rear support link means, said front fixed pivot, and said rear support means to lift the front portion of said main frame section upwardly above said rail as the first front support link initially pivots from said retracted position and then pulls the frame forwardly to said extended position,

guiding link means pivotally connected between said first front support link and said rear support link means to pivotally swing the portion of said rear support link means immediately supporting the rear of said main frame section downwardly and forwardly as the front portion of the main frame section is initially lifted and then upwardly and forwardly to the extended position above said rail,

and a connecting link pivotally connected to said first front support link and to said rear frame section to pivot said rear frame section relative to said main frame section when moving between said retracted and extended positions.

5. The fixture as described in claim 4 wherein one of the pivotal connections between any two of said rear frame section, said connecting link and said main frame 9 c section is a lost motion connection for movement at the extended bed position of said rear frame section between (1) a lowered position in which said frame sections are substantially in line and (2) a raised position in which said rear and main frame section subtend an angle less than 180.

6. In a sofa bed, including a sofa portion having back and side frame members with a fixed front rail extending between the forward lower ends of said frame members to define therewithin a storage enclosure within the sofa, a fixture for supporting the pivotally connected main and rear frame sections of a foldable bed for movement over said front rail between (1) a retracted position in which the folded bed frame is contained within said storage enclosure behind said rail with the main frame section generally horizontal and the rear frame section extending upwardly substantially perpendicular thereto and (2) an extended position in which said bed frame lies above and extends forwardly of said rail with the main and rear frame sections aligned and substantially horizontally disposed, said fixture comprising:

a base member afiixed to a side member and having a front fixed pivot and rearwardly thereof a rear fixed pivot,

a first rear support link pivotally connected at one end to said rear fixed pivot,

a second rear support link pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the other end of said first rear support link and having a pivotal connection to the rear of said main frame section,

a first front support link pivotally connected at one end to said front fixed pivot,

a second front support link pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said first front support link and having a pivotal connection to said second rear support link,

a third front support link pivotally connected to the said second front support link and to said main frame section,

a guiding link pivotally connected at one end to said first front support link and to said second rear support link,

and a connecting link pivotally connected to said front support link and to said rear frame section spaced from the pivotal connection to said main frame section.

7. The fixture as described in claim 6 wherein said connecting link and said rear frame section are pivotally connected by a lost motion connection for movement at the extended bed position between (1) a lowered position in which said frame sections are substantially in line and (2) a raised position in which said rear and main frame sections subtend an angle less than 180, and said fixture additionally comprises:

a locking member on one of said connecting link and rear frame section,

and a latching member on the other of said connecting link and rear frame section, said latching member being engageable with said locking member upon sliding movement of said lost motion connection to secure said rear frame section at said raised position and being disengageable from said locking members upon further sliding movement.

8. In a sofa bed, including a sofa portion having back and side frame members with a fixed front rail extending between the forward lower ends of said frame members to define therewithin a storage enclosure within the sofa, means for supporting from front and rear fixed pivots on said frame members a bed frame having supporting legs for movement over said rail between (1) a retracted position in which the bed frame and support ing legs nesting therewithin is entirely contained within said storage enclosure behind said rail and (2) an extended position in which said bed frame lies above and extends horizontally forwardly of said rail with at least one supporting leg extending downwardly from the bed frame contacting the floor in front of said rail, said means comprising:

a first rear support link pivotally mounted at one end to said rear fixed pivot,

a second rear support link pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said first rear support link and having a pivotal connection to the rear of said bed frame,

a first front support link pivotally mounted at one end to said front fixed pivot,

21 second front support link pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said first front support link and having a pivotal connection to said section rear support link,

a third front support link pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said bed frame at a point spaced forwardly of the pivotal connection to said second rear support link and having a pivotal connection at one end to said second front support link and at the other end to the supporting leg which has a pivotal connection to said bed frame for pivotal movement between a position generally parallel to said bed frame in the retracted position and a downwardly projecting position in contact with the floor at said extended position,

and a guiding link pivotally connected to said second rear support link and to said first front support link.

9. In a sofa bed, including a sofa portion having back and said frame members with a fixed front rail extending between the forward lower ends of said frame members to define therewithin a storage enclosure within the sofa, a fixture for supporting a bed frame for movement over said rail between (1) a retracted position in which the bed frame is contained within said storage enclosure behind said rail and (2) in an extended position in which said bed frame lies above and extends forwardly of said rail, said fixture comprising:

a base member affixable to a side frame member and having a front fixed pivot and lrearwardly thereof a rear fixed pivot,

a first rear support link pivotally mounted at one end to said rear fixed pivot,

a second rear support link pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the other end portion of said first rear support link and having one end pivotally connected to the rear of said bed frame,

a first front support link pivotally mounted at one end to said front fixed pivot,

a second front support link pivotally connected intermediate its ends to an outer portion of said first sup port link opposite the connection to said front fixed pivot and having one end pivotally connected to said second rear support link intermediate the pivotal con nection to said bed frame and said first rear support link,

a third front support link pivotally connected between said bed frame at a point forwardly of the pivotal connection to said second rear support link and to the other end of said second front support link,

and a guiding link pivotally connected to the other end of said second rear support link and to said first front support link intermediate the connection to said first fixed pivot and the pivotal connection to said second front support link.

10. In a sofa bed, including a sofa portion having back and side frame members with a front fixed rail extending between the lower ends of said frame members to define therewithin a storage enclosure within the sofa, a fixture for supporting the pivotally connected main and rear frame sections of a foldable bed over said rail between (1) a retracted position in which the folded bed frame is contained within said storage enclosure behind said rail with the main frame section generally horizontal and the rear frame section extending upwardly substantially perpendicular thereto and (2) an extended position in which said bed frame lies above and extends forwardly of said rail with the main and rear frame sections aligned and substantially horizontally disposed, said fixture comprising:

a base member affixable to a side frame member and having a front fixed pivot and rearwardly thereof a rear fixed pivot,

a first rear support link pivotally mounted at one end to said rear fixed pivot,

a second rear support link pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the other end portion of said first rear support link and having one end pivotally connected to the rear of said bed frame,

a first front support link pivotally mounted at one end to said front fixed pivot,

a second front support link pivotally connected intermediate its ends to an outer portion of said first front support link opposite the connection to said front fixed pivot and having one end pivotally connected to said second rear support link intermediate the pivotal connection to said bed frame and said first rear support link,

a third front support link pivotally connected between said bed frame at a point forwardly of the pivotal connection to said second rear support link and to the other end of said second front support link,

a guiding link pivotally connected to the other end of said second rear support link and to said first front support link intermediate the connection to said first fixed pivot and the pivotal connection to said second front support link,

and a connecting link pivotally connected to the outer end of said first front support link opposite the connection to said front fixed pivot and to said rear frame section rearwardly of the pivotal connection to said main frame section.

11. A foldable sofa bed having a sofa portion with two side frame members joined by a transversely extending back and a lower front rail defining a storage enclosure, and additionally comprising:

' a foldable bed having a main frame section and a rear frame section pivotally connected thereto,

means for supporting said frame for movement over said first rail between (1) a retracted position in which the folded bed frame is contained within said storage enclosure behind said rail with the main frame section generally horizontal and the rear frame section extending upwardly substantially perpendicular thereto and (2) an extended position in which said bed frame lies above and extends forwardly of said rail with the main and rear frame sections aligned and substantially horizontally disposed, said means comprising:

front and rear fixed pivots on said sofa portion within said enclosure,

a first rear support link pivotally mounted at one end to said rear fixed pivot,

a second rear support link pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the other end of said first rear support link and having one end pivotally connected to the rear of said main frame section,

a first front support link pivotally mounted at one end to said front fixed pivot,

a second front support link pivotally connected intermediate its ends adjacent the other end of said first front support link and having one end pivotally connected to said second rear support link intermediate its ends,

means for pivotally interconnecting the other end of said front support link and said main frame section at a point spaced forwardly of the pivotal connection to said second rear support link,

a guiding pivotally connected to the other end of 12 said second rear support link and to said first support link,

and a connecting link pivotally connected at one end to said first front support link and at the other end to said rear frame section spaced from the pivotal connection to said main frame section to pivot said rear frame section relative to said main frame section when moving between said retracted and extended positions.

12. A folding sofa bed having a sofa portion with two side frame members joined by a transversely extending back and a low front rail defining a storage enclosure and additionally comprising:

a foldable bed having a main frame section and a rear frame section pivotally connected thereto,

means for supporting said frame for movement over said first rail between (1) a retracted position in which the folded bed frame is contained within said storage enclosure behind said rail with the main frame section generally horizontal and the rear frame section extending upwardly substantially perpendicular thereto and (2) an extended position in which said bed frame lies above and extends forwardly of said rail with the main and the rear frame sections aligned and substantially horizontally disposed, said means comprising:

front and rear fixed pivots on said sofa portion within said enclosure,

a first rear support link pivotally mounted at one end to said rear fixed pivot,

a second rear support link pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the other end of said first rear support link and having one end pivotally connected to the rear of said main frame section,

a first front support link pivotally mounted at one end to said front fixed pivot,

a second front support link pivotally connected intermediate its ends adjacent the other end of said first front support link and having a pivotal connection to said second rear support link,

a third front support link pivotally connected at one end of said second front support link and to said main frame section forward of the connection to said second rear support link,

a guiding link pivotally connected to the other end of said second rear support link and to said first front support link,

and a connecting link pivotally connected between end portions of said first front support link opposite said front fixed pivot and said rear frame section to pivot said rear frame section relative to said main frame section when moving between said retracted and extended positions.

13. A fixture as described in claim 1 wherein said connecting link means includes a lost motion connection means, whereby said rear frame section may be moved between a lowered position substantially in line with said main frame section and an elevated position disposed at an angle with respect thereto.

14. A fixture as described in claim 1 in which said main frame section carries a supporting leg, and said front support link means includes a bell crank lever pivotally mounted on said main frame section and has a first leg pivotally connected to said supporting leg for movement of said leg between a position generally parallel to the main frame section in the retracted position and a downwardly projecting position in contact with the floor in the extended position.

15. A fixture as described in claim 14 in which said rear support link means includes a first rear support link connected at one end to said rear fixed pivot, and a second rear support link pivotally connected to the other end of said first rear support link and having a pivotal connection to the rear of said main frame section; and a sec- 0nd leg of said bell crank lever and said second rear support link are pivotally connected by a link.

16. A fixture as described in claim 15 wherein a four bar linkage means is defined by said link, said bell crank second leg, a portion of said second rear support link between a pivotal connection with said link and the pivotal connection with said main frame section, and a portion of said main frame section between the connection with said second rear support link and the pivotal connection of said bell crank lever, said four bar linkage means flattening as said bed sections move into th extended position and expanding as said bed sections move into the retracted position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Bank et al. 513 Coopersrnith et al. 5-13 X Katz 513 X Helton 513 Rogers et al. 5-13 Laemmle 5-13 10 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Examiner, 

1. IN A SOFA BED, INCLUDING A SOFA PORTION HAVING BACK AND SIDE FRAME MEMBERS WITH A FIXED FRONT RAIL EXTENDING BETWEEN THE FORWARD LOWER ENDS OF SAID SIDE FRAME MEMBERS TO DEFINE THEREWITHIN A STORAGE ENCLOSURE WITHIN THE SOFA, A FIXTURE SUPPORTING THE PIVOTALLY CONNECTED MAIN AND REAR FRAME SECTIONS OF A FOLDABLE BED FRAME FOR MOVEMENT OVER SAID RAIL BETWEEN (1) A RETRACTED POSITION IN WHICH THE BED FRAME IS CONTAINED WITH SAID STORAGE ENCLOSURE BEHIND SAID RAIL WITH THE MAIN FRAME SECTION GENERALLY HORIZONTAL AND THE REAR FRAME SECTION EXTENDING VERTICALLY UPWARDLY THERETO AND (2) AN EXTENDED POSITION IN WHICH SAID BED FRAME LIES ABOVE AND EXTENDS FORWARDLY OF SAID RAIL WITH THE MAIN AND REAR FRAME SECTIONS ALIGNED AND SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED, SAID FIXTURE COMPRISING: SUPPORT MEANS AFFIXABLE TO A SIDE FRAME MEMBER AND HAVING A FRONT FIXED PIVOT AND REARWARDLY THEREOF A REAR FIXED PIVOT, REAR SUPPORE LINK MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID REAR FIXED PIVOT AND A REAR PORTION OF SAID MAIN FRAME SECTION TO SWING THE REAR OF SAID FRAME SECTION FORWARDLY WITHIN SAID ENCLOSURE FROM SAID RETRACTED POSITION AND THEN LIFT IT UPWARDLY TO SAID EXTENDED POSITION, FRONT SUPPORT LINK MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID FRONT FIXED PIVOT AND SAID MAIN FRAME SECTION FORWARDLY OF THE CONNECTION TO SAID REAR SUPPORT LINK MEANS TO LIFT THE FORWARD PORTION OF SAID MAIN FRAME 